The owner of an historic pub on the city outskirts is looking for a new landlord so that it can reopen this summer.

Stonegate, the firm that owns Heigham Street boozer Gibraltar Gardens, is looking for new staff after the site was forced to close seven months ago when the previous landlord was evicted. 

A spokeswoman for the pub company said: "We are currently interviewing prospective publicans, with hopes that the pub will be reopen and trading as usual by the end of July.

"Gibraltar Gardens is also currently undergoing a light refurb while some maintenance works takes place."

Stonegate said it was currently interviewing prospective publicans to take over the pubStonegate said it was currently interviewing prospective publicans to take over the pub (Image: Newsquest)

It added anyone interested in running the "fantastic local pub" could find more information on its Pub Partners website.

Stonegate hopes the pub could be trading by the end of JulyStonegate hopes the pub could be trading by the end of July (Image: Newsquest)

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Stonegate originally listed the pub's availability at a guide rent of £807 per week - which has since been reduced to £576.

There was controversy surrounding the previous landlord's eviction after he said he was given just two weeks' notice to move out of the building. 

Tony Dibbens took over in January 2023 as it was his late mother's favourite pub during visits to the city.

However on November 3, Mr Dibbens and assistant manager Liam Reynolds were given notice to vacate the premises by November 17.

This resulted in a battle between Mr Dibbens and Stonegate about when he would leave. 

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HISTORY OF GIBRALTAR GARDENS 

Established in 1470 alongside the River Wensum, the building only became a public house in the early 1700s.

Gibraltar Gardens, located in Heigham StreetGibraltar Gardens, located in Heigham Street (Image: Newsquest)

It was expanded and enlarged in 1550 and again in 1600, being made a grade II listed building in 1954.

More recently, it closed from the end of 1999 to March 2000 for further extensive renovations.

The couple who took over in December 2019, Jason and Julia Carter, left in January 2023 after struggling to compete with cheaper prices at supermarkets and pub chains.

Gibraltar Gardens pictured in 1961Gibraltar Gardens pictured in 1961 (Image: Newsquest)